The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasised the government’s commitment to continue its bold efforts at fulfilling the aspirations of every Nigerian citizen.
Speaking at the National Orientation Agency’s (NOA) Extended Management Retreat in Abuja, Idris highlighted the government’s determination to create a society where mutual respect and unity prevail.
‘The journey of lasting transformation has just commenced. It will not be an easy one, just as we are not people who give up in the face of challenges and obstacles,’ Idris stated.
He urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the collective ambition of building a prosperous nation, noting that the retreat offered an opportunity to refine their vision and intensify their efforts toward this goal.
National Values Charter
The Minister also highlighted the government’s focus on the National Values Charter, a key initiative of the ministry through the National Orientation Agency (NAO) designed to ensure that all Nig
erians are aware of their constitutional rights, while also emphasizing the responsibilities of the government.
The Charter, he explained, encapsulates the seven ‘Core Promises’ that outline the rights of citizens and the seven ‘Commitments’ that focus on the responsibilities of Nigerians toward one another and the nation.
Idris underscored the pivotal role of the NOA in promoting civic engagement, managing national narratives, and fostering unity.
‘NOA has earned a reputation as one of the most grassroots-oriented public agencies in the country, with unparalleled capacity to disseminate the policies and programs of the federal government while also staying plugged into the pulse of the citizenry,’ he said.
Idris also praised the NOA for embracing technology to enhance its operations, highlighting the agency’s use of digital tools like the Mobiliser App and an Artificial Intelligence platform for civic awareness.
These innovations, he said, demonstrate the NOA’s adaptability in addressing the changing co
mmunication landscape of the 21st century.
In his remarks, NOA Director General, Issa-Onilu, acknowledged the challenges posed by the modern media landscape, where citizens have near-unrestricted access to information.
He noted that the NOA has been proactive in adapting to these challenges by launching new initiatives such as the Mobiliser App, the NOA’s Artificial Intelligence Assistant (CLHEEAN), and new TV and radio studios.
These tools, he said, are part of the agency’s efforts to establish open dialogue between the government and the citizens.
‘We have launched the NOA mobile app, Mobiliser, in Kano. The Mobiliser has many crucial features for engaging with Nigerians, particularly the Nigerian youths. The new NOA television and radio studios are also ready.
‘We are even further ahead in applying modern technologies to enhance our work. On July 1, we launched NOA’s Artificial Intelligence Voice and Chat Assistant, CLHEEAN. CLHEEAN is an innovative solution to the challenges posed by the new media la
ndscape Nigerians can engage and interact with CLHEEAN.
‘NOA’s enormous infrastructure across the country is being revived for optimal performance. Our focus in all of these is to institute a direct line of communication between the government and the citizens. NOA recognises the need to bridge the gap and establish an open dialogue with the public.
‘Through some initiatives the NOA has recently taken, we seek to foster an interactive approach, allowing citizens to voice their concerns, provide feedback, and create parameters to hold both the leadership and the citizens,’ Issa-Onilu said.
Past Director Generals of the NOA and the NTA urged NOA officers to maintain their focus on face-to-face awareness campaigns, emphasising their role as national ambassadors.
The retreat, which brought together participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, aimed to strengthen the NOA’s capacity to communicate government policies and lead Nigeria’s quest for a unified national identity through value or
ientation.
Source: Voice of Nigeria